For a long time, scammers have been utilizing a number of different approaches to try and bilk unsuspecting individuals of their hard earned money. In the past, they have tried unsubstantiated Nigerian lotteries, secret shopper programs, and even crazy cash checking schemes. Now they are attempting to achieve the same success but through the use of consumer fear.

One of our readers recently sent us an email that they received from a “collection agency” stating that they were collecting an unpaid balance on behalf of their client. The subject line of the email was entitled PAST DUE NOTICE and a PDF version of the communication was attached. The content of the letter is below. As you can see, it uses all the proper phrases and buzz words that are included in any standard collection agency notice. With the exception of the account number being asterisked out and no mention of the actual client they are trying to collect for, this letter could be quickly construed as being an official document and warrant a quick reply or response.

Our assumption is that the scammers are relying upon the fact that the sense of urgency expressed in the letter would encourage recipients to hit reply and inquire for additional information. At that point, the scammer will probably have a second phase of their scheme set up to further entice the unsuspecting target to be relieved of any extra funds.

As always, we encourage our readers at SmartSecurityPeople.com to be vigilant in regard to emails, phone calls, and text messages that they receive from unknown sources. If you know of anyone that would benefit from this information, please be sure to use the Share Tab below to spread the wealth of this knowledge.

US NATIONAL DEBT COLLECTIONS INC.

801 S. 48TH STREET

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19143

ACCT #: ****************

AMOUNT: 0.00

FEES: 0.00

INTEREST: 0.00

TOTAL DUE: $873.13 (DEBT SETTLEMENT)

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE HAVE BEEN RETAINED TO COLLECT THIS DEBT ON

BEHALF OF OUR CLIENT. WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY YOU ON SEVERAL

OCCASIONS REGARDING YOUR DELINQUENT ACCOUNT. WE THOUGHT IT BEST TO STATE

OUR INTENTIONS AND MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE INTEND TO COLLECT THIS DEBT

USING ALL AVAILABLE MEANS AT OUR DISPOSAL.

UNLESS WE RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM YOU SOON, WE WILL ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE NO

INTENTIONS OF LIQUIDATING YOUR DEBT VOLUNTARILY. WE WILL ADVISE OUR

CLIENT THAT THEY MAY WISH TO FILE SUIT AGAINST YOU TO RECOVER THIS DEBT.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT IF LEGAL ACTION IS UNDERTAKEN, IT COULD BE COSTLY

AND TIME CONSUMING. IF YOU SHOULD LOSE IN SUCH AN ACTION, YOU COULD ALSO

BE SUBJECT TO COURT COSTS AND/OR ATTORNEY FEES, IF APPLICABLE. THERE ARE

VARIOUS AVENUES WHICH COULD BE USED TO SATISFY SUCH A JUDGEMENT. THIS

COULD INCLUDE GARNISHMENT OF WAGES, SEIZURE OF BANK ACCOUNTS OR OTHER

PERSONAL PROPERTY.

IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO THREATEN YOU BUT TO POINT OUT THE PROBLEMS AND

COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REFUSING TO PAY YOUR DEBT. WE HOPE THAT NO FURTHER

ACTION WILL BE NECESSARY AND YOU WILL AGREE TO OUR AMICABLE PAYMENT

ARRANGEMENT.

PLEASE: TO ENSURE PROPER CREDIT, REMIT PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY. FOR YOUR

CONVENIENCE WE MAY BE ABLE TO ACCEPT PAYMENT ON YOUR ACCOUNT IN THE

FOLLOWING METHOD: WESTERN UNION.

HOW TO PAY:

Visit www.westernunion.com or your nearest Western Union agent location

and make your payment of $873.13 to:

Lisa Baker

Philadelphia, PA

After your payment has been sent, please email us the following

information:

The Money Transfer Control Number. (MTCN)

The exact dollar amount sent.

Your first and last name.

The city and state the money was sent from.

THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO

COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED SOLELY FOR THAT

PURPOSE